W Robert Vinnedge: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Elk Grove VillageWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 68Family: Single and my only family is my sister.Occupation: Retired EngineerEducation: B.S. Industrial Engineering: Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL A.A.S. Electronics Technology: University of Cincinnati, formerly the Ohio College of Applied Science, Cincinnati, OHCivic involvement: President: Schaumburg Township Historical Society 2002 to present Treasurer: Schaumburg Township Historical Society 2001-2002 President: Roosevelt University Alumni Board of Governors 2002-2004 President: Roosevelt University Alumni Council 1996-1997 Secretary: Schaumburg Township Republican Organization 2007 to present Republican Precinct Captain 1988-2000 and 2008 to presentElected offices held: Trustee: Schaumburg Township 1993 (four year term) Trustee: Schaumburg Township 1997 (four year term) Appointed Clerk Schaumburg Township July 1997 (four year term) Trustee: Schaumburg Township 2009 (four year term)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Working with the rest of the Schaumburg Township Board to make sure our township government operates in a fiscally responsible manner so the taxpayers will not have to be concerned about the adequacy of programs and services dispensed in this changing economy.Key Issue 2 Doing my part to see to it that Schaumburg Township continues to pass and operate with a balanced budget.Key Issue 3 Continue monitoring programs and agency involvement for effective use of tax dollars. During this changing economy programs may need to be adjusted to best serve residents in need.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.(1) Keeping taxes low while still providing adequate and effective programs and services for township residents. (2) Committing to a balanced budget (3) Pursuing effective and innovative ways to keep costs and expenses low and encourage staff and committee participation in that effort. Each of these three objectives involves the proper and wise use of taxpayer dollars and should be the focus and responsibility of this board by auditing and participating as a liaison to each of the committees that interact with the departments providing services for township residents.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township government serves all the property owners and residents of both the municipalities and unincorporated areas within its boundaries. There is no reason to reinvent township government. The Township of Schaumburg endeavors to operate effectively and efficiently under the guidelines of the statutes of Illinois. Further, we are aware of what other municipalities do and endeavor not to duplicate services to residents in need.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary function of township government involves three main responsibilities: (1) to provide general assistance to the indigent, (2) the assessment of real property and assistance to taxpayers with appeals and (3) maintenance of the roads and bridges in the unincorporated areas of the township. Besides that the township provides other vital services and supports agencies for those residents in need such as youth and family counseling, assistance to the disabled and senior citizens to name a few.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?When I served on the township board from 1993 to 2001 it was an ongoing goal of the board to monitor the use of township funds to ensure the most effective and affordable services for township residents. This philosophy has continued. Because of thehard economic times? we have more township residents accessing programs for those in need, yet the board has a goal to maintain an adequate level of services without increasing the budget for programs and services and I agree with that approach. The ongoing oversight and auditing of programs reveals what programs and services might be subject to trimming or eliminating expenses or programs administered by the township and our present board has accomplished that. I would expect the next board to continue this approach of fiscal responsibility.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I believe I am one of the best candidates for township trustee because of my experience and past involvement as an elected board member and my ongoing interest, education and participation in the government of Schaumburg Township.